Section 18.602. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

ABCP—The American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion.

Accredited perfusion program approved by the Board—A perfusion program accredited by a Nationally-recognized accrediting agency approved by the Board.

CAAHEP—The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Extracorporeal circulation—The diversion of a patient’s blood through a heart-lung machine or similar device that assumes the functions of the patient’s heart, lungs, kidneys, liver or other organ.

Hour of continuing education—At least 50 minutes of instruction, including relevant question and answer sessions, in an approved course of continuing education or an equivalent time that an online or correspondence course would be presented live.

Nationally-recognized accrediting agency approved by the Board—CAAHEP or other organization for which the Board publishes notice that the organization is approved by the Board as an accrediting agency for perfusionist programs.

Nationally-recognized certifying agency approved by the Board—ABCP or other organization for which the Board publishes notice that the organization is approved by the Board as a certifying agency for perfusionists.

Out-of-State perfusionist—An individual who holds a current license as a perfusionist in another state, the District of Columbia or a territory of the United States or has obtained certification by a certifying agency approved by a Nationally-recognized accrediting agency.

Perfusion—The functions necessary for the support, treatment, measurement or supplementation of the cardiovascular system or other organs, or a combination of those functions, and for ensuring the safe management of physiologic functions by monitoring and analyzing the parameters of the systems under the supervision of a physician licensed under the act or the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act (63 P. S. § § 271.1—271.18).

Perfusionist—An individual who is licensed to practice perfusion by the Board or the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine.

Ventricular assist device—

(i) A mechanical device used to partially or completely replace the function of a failing heart through connections to the heart and great vessels that may be located intracorporeally or extracorporeally.

(ii) The term includes a device that is placed intravascularly or extravascularly and provides support through direct means or through counterpulsation.